For one thing, Francisco’s a Republican ... and he drew the most votes. In Santa Barbara that happens about as often as proud Democrat and former Mayor Sheila Lodge endorses Republicans. But Lodge was moved to back the three conservative incumbents — Francisco, Rowse and Michael Self (who lost) — because of how politicized and polarized the council had become in the years since she occupied the big corner office at City Hall.

In the 11 months since Rowse’s arrival, council members appear to be getting along much better than before. And while Murillo is a loyal Democrat, there are expectations that she will at least continue the collaborative and collegial environment that often emerges when elected officials are putting people before politics.

As a small business owner, I’m thrilled to have an advocate like Rowse who can effectively articulate the issues our companies face. Very few communities can flourish without a healthy small business environment and it’s vital to have public servants like Rowse and former Goleta City Councilman Eric Onnen in positions of leadership. What a difference their perspective makes.

Murillo, meanwhile, seemingly came out of nowhere. She’s long been involved in the local political scene but she likely wasn’t rated a top-three vote-getter when the race began. She had the last laugh with a second-place finish, though. A happy warrior, I didn’t see anyone who worked — or walked — harder for the job.

Now, I see the word breakfast and immediately think of huevos rancheros, which I can put away any time — day or night. Our physical fitness mavens were reading more closely, however, and understood our reader was inquiring about whether to dine before he dashed off to exercise, or the other way around. So what was their response? A king, a prince and a pauper walk into a diner ...

Those of you who know K&A know they’re not short on self-confidence. And if you don’t know them, one look at their groovy cat glasses will give you a good idea. But this week they got a sweet ego boost with their well-deserved inclusion in Shape magazine’s list of 10 Facebook Pages You Will Love to “Like.”

Maybe you noticed that 500-foot Navy vessel anchored on the horizon or the preponderance of clean-cut and smartly dressed young men and women walking around downtown. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Santa Barbara Navy League, the USS Milius is spending Veterans Day weekend with us. While Santa Barbara rolls out the red carpet for the nearly 300 officers and crew members, they’ll be reciprocating with free public tours of the ship Sunday and Monday. Reservations can be made at Sea Landing, 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd., or by calling Sea Landing at 805.963.3564.

Please join me in thanking them — and all military veterans — for their service. We sleep in peace because of their vigilance and sacrifice in defense of the freedoms we too often take for granted.

Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper has been just about the only local journalist reporting on Santa Barbara County’s mental health services, and specifically its beleaguered Psychiatric Health Facility.

So it’s not surprising that Lara would be the first to report, on Nov. 7, that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is not satisfied with county officials’ lack of urgency in remedying the oversight agency’s criticisms. In fact, the county is now on notice that federal funding is at risk unless it gets its act together with patient health and safety. You have my word that we’ll stay on this important story.

As of Nov. 11, the first week’s introductory in-person discussions are under way. Noozhawk readers will be able to join the conversation in two weeks when we and Just Communities launch an online public-engagement program to expand and extend participation. We’re excited to have this opportunity and think you all will bring an important voice to the process.

The benefit is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave. Tickets are $100 per person, and donations to the nonprofit Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis are tax-deductible. Call Larsen at 805.964.1891 to purchase tickets.

Please join us.

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